Category: Kenilworth Urban District Council Elections

Elected (12 seats)

Ernest Hadow	Unattached	1021
*Edward Hodges	Conservative Party	1019
*William Parkinson	Conservative Party	981
*Charles Randall	Conservative Party	864
*Charles Barwell	Conservative Party	852
*William Dencer	Conservative Party	775
*William Marriott	Conservative Party	747
*Robert Grindrod	Conservative Party	714
*Edwin Gee	Conservative Party	710
*John Clarke	Independent	699
K. Rotherham	Independent	573
*Charles Carter	Conservative Party	557

Not Elected

Alfred Keeling	Conservative Party	546
*Andrew Hacking	Independent	508
B. J. Tuck	Labour Party	422
Eustace Carey-Hill	Conservative Party	401
Warrington Bennett	Unattached	399
A. Fayermen	Unattached	369
William Hiorns	Unattached	361
H. H. A. Eykyn	Unattached	355
Percy Fox	Independent	333
G. Hughes	Unattached	314
H. Moss	Conservative Party	313
W. Webster	Independent	279
W. Shreeve	Unattached	197
G. Mason	Unattached	188
T. Sykes	Unattached	169

*denotes retiring councillor

‘The Twelve’ Return Nine in Heavy Poll

A group of present councillors (plus some new candidates) fought the election as ‘The Twelve’, somewhat similar to the 1922 election when they called themselves the ‘Business Group’. Who, were infact, supported by the Conservative Party. Their election cry being, ‘economy combined with efficency’.

Polling took place as usual at St. Nicholas School in School Lane from 8am to 8pm, where four polling stations were used inside the school. 27 candidates took part in the election.

There was a slow start to the polling with only about a hundred people voting in the first hour. But there was a steady stream of arrivals throughout the day despite the drizzling rain . The weather changed in the afternoon to a bright spring day, which may have encouraged more people to vote. Well, something aroused the electorate as 1700 votes were recorded, a local record.

The count took place at the council house in Upper Rosemary Hill at 9am on the following day (Tuesday 7th). Returning officer, Sholto Douglas, declared the results at the door of the council house at 1.30pm. No demonstrations of any kind took place. There was a large number of spoilt ballot papers, mainly due to people voting for more than maximum twelve candidates.

There was a strong vote in favour of the old councillors, which resulted in only two new members being elected, Hadow and Rotherham. They replaced, Hacking (not re-elected) and Jackson, who did not seek re-election due to retirement after 30 years on the council.

Dencer who was first elected at the 1919 election for the ‘Local Trades & Labour Council’ and again in 1922 as a Labour candidate, had now switched to the Conservatives.

The ‘Unattached’ group fielded nine candidates, but only one was elected, Ernest Hadow, who was standing for the first time in a Kenilworth election. He was the former KUDC clerk.

KUDC Councillors

9 Conservatives (E. Hodges, W. Parkinson, C. Randall, C. Barwell, W. Dencer, W. Marriott, R. Grindrod, E. Gee, C. Carter)

2 Independents (J. Clarke, K. Rotherham)

1 Unattached (E. Hadow)

Chairman

photo courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PH (N) 600/147/3)

Alfred Keeling	Independent	547
Eliza Mary Cole	Labour Party	63

HEAVY LABOUR DEFEAT IN THE ‘TEN BOB’ ELECTION

This by-election was called due to resignation of member, Dr. William Marriott, in July, who had left the town. His resignation came only four months after being re-elected at the triennial election. But it caused much disagreement amongst some of the members. The main issue being the cost of the election. The council clerk, Mr Platt had received the resignation and the ‘fixed penalty’ of 10 shillings from Mr Marriott. Chairman, Cllr Barwell proposed that the seat was now vacant and was seconded by Cllr Gee. But Cllr Hadow protested saying that he didn’t see why the town should be put through the cost of another election. He felt that Mr. Marriott should not be allowed to resign at the cost of just 10 shillings when an election may cost up to £40. But any member has the right to resign, depending on their personnal circumstances, so the council had an obligation to hold a by-election. Especially as there was two years and eight months before the next triennial election. The chairman’s resolution was passed with Cllr Clarke and of course Cllr Hadow, voting against.

The contest, which did not excite much interest, was basically a fight between Conservative and Labour. For Mrs Cole it was the first time that a lady had stood in a Kenilworth election. She may well have regreted it as her opponent gained a majority of 484. Although Keeling had support from the Conservatives, rather oddly he decided to stand as an Independent. He had stood at the triennial election back in April (as a conservative) but came 13th in the poll, eleven votes short.

Polling took place not at the usual Central School in School Lane but at St. Nicholas school at the ‘Blundells’. Four polling stations were used for this election which in hindsight was far too many (and costly) as less than 20% of the electorate bothered to vote. Hence the polling was slow all day and only increased in the evening when people returned from work. The declaration, by the returning officer, Mr Platt was at 8.30pm, only 30 minutes after the polls had closed.

In the course of her election address, Mrs Cole stated; ‘I venture to urge that it is not unfair that Labour should have a share of representation on the local council in order that the ideas of the workers may be adequately voiced’. She also added; “I am in favour of an annual election as I consider three years between them too long. I favour the retirement of four members annually, who would be eligible for re-election. I am also in favour of the town being divided into four Wards: Central, South, West and East”.

Mrs Cole did eventually get her wish for the Ward system in Kenilworth but that take another nine years, being introduced in 1934. She never stood in a Kenilworth election ever again.

KUDC Councillors

8 Conservatives (E. Hodges, W. Parkinson, C. Randall, C. Barwell, W, Dencer, R. Grindrod, E. Gee, M Carter)

3 Independents (J. Clarke, K. Rotherman, A. Keeling)

1 Unattached (E. Hadow)

Elected (12 seats)

*John Clarke	Independent	999
*Edward Hodges	Coalition	984
William Hiorns	Independent	921
*William Parkinson	Coalition	871
*William Dencer	Independent	835
*Charles Randall	Coalition	805
*William Bostock	Coalition	761
Eustace Carey-Hill	Coalition	761
*Robert Grindrod	Coalition	739
*Charles Carter	Coalition	697
*Edwin Gee	Coalition	686
*Alfred Keeling	Coalition	663

Not Elected

Arthur Read	Coalition	650
George Hughes	British Legion	639
Miles Smallwood	Coalition	435
David Mowbray	Independent	339
Thomas Tipson	Independent	359
Percy Fox	Coalition	336

*denotes retiring councillor

Electorate 3200 (Turnout 53.6%)

9 Spoilt Ballot Papers

‘Coalition Twelve’ – Get Nine

Polling day passed off uneventfully, and was very slow going. Many motor-cars were seen driving around the town which bore the slogan ‘Vote for the Twelve’. They stated in their manifesto; ‘We do not stand in the interests of any party, class or creed but distinctly and entirely independent in every way, believing that we can be of service to the town in promoting its well-being‘.

There were no surprising results, although John Clarke topping the poll was. He has always had a good following but in previous elections he had been half way up the list. He was the only candidate in the election who posted leaflets with his photograph and manifesto to all the electorate. This obviously did him no harm at all, with his jovial and kindly face.

William Dencer has now been elected to the council on four occasions, in 1919 for the Local Trades & Labour Council, in 1922 for the Labour Party, in 1925 as a Conservative but in this election he stood as an Independent and still got elected. It seems that he has finally got fed-up with party politics and just wanted to serve the town.

All candidates who stood for re-election from the old council were returned, many of them being part of the ‘Twelve’.

Hodges coming second, was no surprise to anybody as he always seems to be there or thereabouts. New member, Hiorns in third place, did extremley well, considering he was rejected at the 1925 election. Since then however, he has made himself better known to townsfolk. Carey-Hill as Kenilworth people will know, takes a great deal of interest in the Abbey ruins, was elected for the first time and was not unexpected, although he had failed to be elected three years ago.

One bone of contention was the final candidate elected, Alfred Keeling. He had left Kenilworth to live in Harbury before the election and that is probably why he only just scrapped through. He had failed in the 1925 election but was voted onto the council in a by-election in August of the same year. Rules stated that to be a candidate you must have lived in the district for 12 months prior to an election. But obviously the rules weren’t clear enough. Keeling had lived in the town for well over 12 months, years infact, before the election, but was not resident at the time of the election. Would this have been against the rules? But it looks like the County Council must have adjudicated on this matter because he remained on the council.

The counting took place at the council house in Upper Rosemary Hill on the following day. Results were declared in the early afternoon by returning officer, Sholto Douglas.

KUDC Councillors

9 Coalition (E Hodges, W. Parkinson, C. Randall, W. Bostock, E. Carey-Hill, R Grindrod, E. Gee, A. Keeling, C. Carter)

3 Independents (J. Clarke, W. Hiorns, W. Dencer)

Chairman 1928-31

Photo courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PH (N) 600/147/3)

Elected (12 seats)

*Charles Randall	Ratepayers Association	1261
*John Clarke	Unattached	1254
*Capt. A. Wilson	Ratepayers Association	1254
*Edward Hodges	Independent	1059
*William Hiorns	Unattached	1009
Warrington Bennett	Ratepayers Association	1002
Allen Spaven	Ratepayers Association	979
*William Bostock	Independent	975
Thomas Jackson	Ratepayers Association	916
Elizabeth Lily Randall	Ratepayers Association	903
*Edwin Gee	Independent	889
H. Wells Lawrence	Ratepayers Association	848

Not Elected

S. Rollason	Ratepayers Association	794
W. Griffiths	Ratepayers Association	776
George Hughes	Ratepayers Association	736
*Charles Carter	Independent	715
Major B.Thomas	Independent	688
George Tisdale	Independent	682
Capt. G. Savage	Independent	642
Mrs M. Chapman	Ratepayers Association	642
Frank Weetman	Independent	565
R. H. Seekings	Ratepayers Association	471
J. Smith	Independent	259

*denotes retiring councillor

Electorate 3690

Turnout 2122

Ratepayers Day – Former Chairman Gone

The election was somewhat over shadowed by the recent death of James Everett Jackson who had served on the council from 1894 to 1925, apart from one year (1901/1902). By trade, he was a cabinet maker, coffin maker and undertaker for over 54 years. He was also a volunteer in the local Fire Brigade for 40 years. He was 79 years-old.

The Ratepayers Association, had formed due to the inconsisent rates within the town, fielded twelve candidates. They were successful in gaining seven seats, including the first ever woman to be elected to the council, Mrs Elizabeth Lily Randall.

The ‘Independent Party’, who fielded nine candidates, gained just three seats.

The remaining two seats were filled by re-elected members, Hiorns and Clarke, who, not wishing to get involved in party politics, ran as ‘unattached’ candidates.

One member that did not seek re-election was Alfred Keeling who was first elected at a by-election in 1925. Due to business commitments, he was absent from many meetings, especially over the last couple of years. (He later died in Perth, Austrailia in 1934 whilst on a business trip, he was only 52 years-old)

Charles Carter, who ran as an Independent, had been the chairman for the last two years, was not re-elected, coming well down the list. It came as a shock and disappointment to a lot of people. (apart from his political rivals)

KUDC Councillors

7 Ratepayers Association (H. Lawrence, C. Randall, Lily Randall, A. Spaven, W. Bennett, Capt. Wilson, T. Jackson)

3 Independents (E. Gee, W. Bostock, E. Hodges)

2 Unattached (J. Clarke, W. Hiorns)

Chairman

photo courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PH (N) 600/147/3)

George Tisdale	Ind	897
Reginald Asplen	Ind	788

Tisdale Elected

A vacancy had arisen due the death of long-standing councillor Edward Hodges. He had served on the council since 1894, the longest serving member to-date (37 years). He had also done three stints as chairman (totaling six years), 1911-13, 1922-25 and 1928-29. Before that he had served on the Local Board. Several present councillors and officials attended his funeral, which took place at St. Nicholas Parish Church. He was 77 years-old.

Both candidates stood as ‘Independents’ but it was widely known that Dr. Asplen had the support of the Ratepayers Association.

One week before the election, a public meeting, supporting Mr.Tisdale, took place at the Abbey Hotel. Strong criticism was voiced against the opposition party, the Ratepayers Association. Chairman of the meeting, Mr Carey-Hill, said the deliberations of the council during the six months they have held office had been more remarkable for their duration rather than their results.

The present chairman of KUDC, Allen Spaven, said during the last election, that high rate assessments were the cause of the formation of the association. They endeavoured to put the assessments on an equitable basis and on that plea, they gained seven seats on the council. Mr Carey-Hill submitted that the efforts of the so-called Ratepayers Association had not turned their election promises into facts.

The victorious Mr.Tisdale, who had failed to be elected at the triennial election six months ago worked extremely hard throughout his campaign, supported by many helpers, he was determined not to fail this time. Dr Asplen too, found many ardent supporters to help his cause. Cars bearing placards for both candidates were much in evidence on polling day. Voting was slow as usual during the morning but by mid-day onwards, the polling clerks were kept busy.

The Polling Stations were open for 12 hours from 8am to 8pm and the results were declared at 9.30 by returning officer, Mr Whittaker. There were five spoilt ballot papers.

KUDC Councillors

7 Ratepayers Association (Mr Lawrence, Mr Randall, Mrs Randall, Mr Spaven, Mr Bennet, Mr Wilson, Mr Jackson)

3 Independents (Mr Gee, Mr Bostock, Mr Tisdale)

2 Unattached (Mr Clarke, Mr Hiorns)

Abbey (3 seats)

Frederick Faxon	Independent Party	u/o
William Griffiths	Independent Party	u/o
*George Tisdale	Independent Party	u/o

Castle (3 seats)

Maj. Henry Watling	Independent Party	446
Leonard Smalley	Unattached	376
*William Hiorns	Unattached	262
*Elizabeth Lily Randall	Unattached	212

Park Hill (3 seats)

*Thomas Jackson	Independent Party	258
James Leaver	Labour Party	188
James Akerman	Independent Party	179
Herbert Fairbrother	Labour Party	108
Charles Roberts	Labour Party	103

Borrowell (3 seats)

Samuel Rollason	Independent Party	u/o
*William Bostock	Independent Party	u/o
*Edwin Gee	Independent Party	u/o

*denotes retiring member

Ward System Arrives – But ‘Clever Tricks’ Spoil The Day

This was the first KUDC election where wards were introduced and it caused a bit of a stir.

The local press reported that the ‘clever tricks’ adopted by the ‘Independent nine’, where they nominated the same candidates in more than one ward, which, ultimately, prevented contests in Abbey and Borrowell. On 13th March, two weeks before the election they ‘withdrew’ six candidates but in reality only one was actually withdrawn, that of Mr Hughes in Borrowell. The other five withdrawals are those of the candidates who were nominated in other wards. This ridiculous situation did not go down with many people, and only caused confusion amongst the electorate.

18-year veteran of the council, John Clarke, did not seek re-election. He had been on the council from 1913 to 1919 and then from 1922 until this year. He’s now aged 73, but business pressures have caused his retirement. He was the chairman in 1932-33.

Labour stood in only one ward, Park Hill, where James Leaver managed to get elected. He is the manager of the Co-operative Store in Park Road.

Mrs Elizabeth (Lily) Randall who was elected three years ago, lost her seat in Castle ward. Leaving no women on the council.

The council is now a combination of old and new faces. The closest contest was in Castle Ward where Major Watling topped the poll. Voting was poor in Park Hill, where the turnout was less than 50%.

Returning officer was Mr J. C. Whittaker.

KUDC Councillors

9 Independent Party (H. Watling, T. Jackson, J. Akerman, F. Faxon, W. Griffiths, G. Tisdale, S. Rollason, W. Bostock, E. Gee)

2 Unattached (L. Smalley, W. Hiorns)

1 Labour (Mr Leaver)

Chairman

1934-35 George Tisdale

Council Clerk – Mr J. C. Whittaker

Abbey (one seat)

Elizabeth Lily Randall	Independent	244
*Frederick Faxon	Independent Nine Party	220

Borrowell (one seat)

*Edwin Gee	Independent Nine Party	319
*William Hiorns	Independent	156
Jeffery Chandler	Labour Party	15

Park Hill (one seat)

*James Ackerman	Independent Nine Party	222
Herbert Fairbrother	Labour Party	97

Castle (one seat)

Frank Weetman	Independent Nine Party	318
Robert Tuck	Labour Party	38

*denotes retiring member

Turnout 1638 (41%)

Electorate 4000

‘Independant Nine’ in Charge At KUDC

Following the introduction of the ward system last year,[and the shenanigans that occured] not surprisingly, annual elections returned this year. Four members were chosen to ‘retire’, these being: Ackerman, Gee, Hiorns and Faxon. Two were re-elected but two lost their seats.

Elizabeth (Lily) Randall, who regained her seat which she had lost in last years election, defeated Mr Faxon by a slender 24 votes. Frank Weetman is a new member to the council.

The declaration by returning officer Mr Whittaker came at 9.15pm, only one hour and fifteen minutes after the poll had finished at 8 o’clock.

KUDC Councillors

9 Independent Nine (E. Gee, J. Ackerman, F. Weetman, H. Watling, T. Jackson, W. Griffiths, G. Tisdale, R. Rollason, W. Bostock)

1 Independent (E. L. Randall)

1 Labour Party (J. Leaver)

1 Unattached (L. Smalley)

Chairman

1935-36 George Tisdale

Council Clerk – Mr. J. C. Whittaker

Abbey (one seat)

J. Naylor	Ratepayers Association	399
*George Tisdale	Independent	207
Harold Jessen	Labour Party	42

Park Hill (one seat)

*James Leaver	Labour Party	217
Frederick Faxon	Independent	191

Borrowell (one seat)

*Samuel Rollason	Independent	262
William Hiorns	Independent	260
Benjamin Nicholls	Labour Party	31

Castle (one seat)

*Leonard Smalley

Unattached

u/o

*denotes retiring councillor

Tisdale Out

The annual election of the KUDC took place when four present members had to retire and seek re-election. Three of the retirees managed to get themselves re-elected.

The major shock though, was George Tisdale losing his seat in Abbey Ward by a massive 192 votes to opponent Mr Naylor of the ‘Ratepayers Association’. Mr Tisdale had been chairman for the past two years and nobody expected this. After the result was announced, he said; ‘Mr Naylor is the straightest man I have ever fought. We both played the game and I congratulate him on his success’.

Two Vote Winner

Tension was greatest in the count at Borrowell. After the initial count, Samuel Rollason and William Hiorns, had finished level on 261. But after two furthur recounts, Mr Rollason was declared the winner by 2 votes.

In Park Hill, Labour candidate, James Leaver, just got the better of former councillor Frederick Faxon by 26 votes. Mr Leaver is the only socialist on the council.

‘King of the Castle Ward’, Leonard Smalley was returned unopposed.

KUDC Councillors

9 Independents (S. Rollason, L. Randall, E. Gee, J. Ackerman, F. Weetman, H. Watling, T. Jackson, W. Griffiths, W. Bostock)

1 Ratepayers Association (J. Naylor)

1 Labour (J. Leaver)

1 Unattached (L. Smalley)

Chairman

1936-37 Thomas Jackson

Council Clerk – Mr. J. C. Whittaker

Borrowell (3 seats)

*William Bostock	Independent	446
*Williams Hiorns	Independent	369
*Samuel Rollason	Independent	335
*Edwin Gee	Independent	283

Castle (3 seats)

*Henry Watling	Independent	u/o
*Leonard Smalley	Independent	u/o
*Frank Weetman	Independent	u/o

Abbey (3 seats)

George Tisdale	Independent	332
*William Griffiths	Independent	325
Frederick Faxon	Independent	294
Reginald Smith	Independent	207
Eric Bernard Smith	Independent	146

Park Hill (3 seats)

*Thomas Jackson	Independent	259
*James Leaver	Labour Party	251
*James Akerman	Independent	240
Benjamin Nicholls	Labour Party	107

*denotes retiring councillor

Council Losses Its ‘Father’ – But Tisdale is Back

82-year-old, Edwin Gee of Castle Farm lost his seat in Borrowell Ward having been on the council for 39 consecutive years and was affectionately known as the ‘Father of the Council’. His 39 years makes him the longest serving member on the KUDC, beating Edward Hodges by two years. He had been a great servant to the town.

The local press reported that voting was of a very quiet character and the poll was small. Also, some ‘plumbing’ had apparently taken place. Strangely, some voters were led to believe that they only had one vote (instead of three).

George Tisdale came top in Abbey Ward after a year away from council following his defeat in the annual election to Mr Naylor, who did not seek re-election this year.

Frederick Faxon, a former councillor, was also returned in Abbey Ward. Leaver retained his seat for the Labour party, and is the only socialist on the council.

The counting was done by Returning Officer, Mr. Whittaker and his staff. Only one spoilt ballot paper was reported, with the words ‘with love’ written on it? The results were declared outside the council house in Upper Rosemary Hill, to an expectant crowd, at 9.50pm.

The first meeting of the new council was on 20th April when Mr. Jackson, the retiring chairman was re-elected. But what the councillors didn’t know at the time, this would be the last election for 9 years. The Second World War was looming……

KUDC Councillors

11 Independents (Mr Bostock, Mr Hiorns, Mr Rollason, Mr Watling, Mr Smalley, Mr Weetman, Mr Tisdale, Mr Griffiths, Mr Faxon, Mr Jackson, Mr Akerman)

1 Labour (Mr Leaver)

Council Clerk – Mr. J. C. Whittaker

Chairman 1937-46

Chairmans Chain of Office – Courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref PH (N) 600/147/3)

CASUAL VACANCY CAUSES A STORM – LABOUR NOT HAPPY

Due to the resignation of councillor James Leaver, a vacancy occurred in the Park Hill Ward. Under the Local Elections and Register of Electors (Temporary Provisions) Act 1939, the KUDC did not need to conduct a by-election as is usually the case.

After advertising the vacancy, they received two applicants. Herbert Martin Woodhams of Windy Harbour and Eric Bernard Smith of Warwick Road.

Mr Woodhams was proposed by Cllr Akerman and seconded by Cllr Tisdale. Mr Smith was proposed by Cllr Hiorns and seconded by Cllr Rollason.

At a council meeting on 18th August, the vacancy was voted upon by the the eleven present members. The vote went as follows:

Woodhams 7 Smith 4

Mr Woodhams was formally declared the winner and duly elected as a councillor in the Park Hill Ward. This would last for as long as the Temporary Provisions Act 1939 remains in force.

Home Office Get Involved

However, that was not the end of the matter. At a meeting on 15th September, the council were informed by the clerk that he had received a letter from the Home Office following a complaint from Warwick and Leamington Divisional Labour Party. The Home Office was asking the KUDC for their observations upon a complaint in respect to the procedures adopted by the council at their meeting on 18th August when filling the vacancy.

The KUDC responded by submitting to the Home Office, certified extracts from their minutes plus newspaper adverts, together with a copy of the notice that advertised the vacancy on the Council House notice board, which invited applications for the appointment.

Mr Leaver was first elected in 1931 and was the only Labour representative on the council. We can only assume that the Labour Party did not put forward a candidate for the vacancy because they didn’t know it existed. There was no doubt it was advertised correctly by the council. But surely, Mr Leaver himself, would have mentioned to someone at the divisional party (and locally), that he was resigning his seat in Kenilworth?

After the rumpus was over, Mr Woodhams continued as a councillor, so the Home Office were obviously satisfied with the KUDCs submission of evidence. Two-years-later, Mr Woodmans received a CBE for his work in the aircraft industry, while a director at Armstrong Whitworth.

Chairman 1942-43 William Bostock